Deshaun Watson trade rumors: Texans QB requested trade, is ‘moving on’ despite David Culley hire

The worst-kept secret in the NFL is finally out.

Deshaun Watson has reportedly requested a trade from the Texans, as his relationship with the organization is no longer salvageable. The news came Thursday from ESPN’s Adam Schefter following the overnight announcement that Houston had hired David Culley as its head coach. Per Schefter, Watson made the trade request “weeks ago.”

Thursday’s news shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, considering Watson’s myriad issues with the team — some made public — as it relates to its hiring practices. Indeed, some within the organization feared, as early as Jan. 18, that he had already “played his last snap” with the team.

That started with the hiring of former Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio and continued with the team’s reported dismissal of Watson’s requests to interview Eric Bieniemy (Chiefs offensive coordinator) or Robert Saleh (49ers defensive coordinator) for the vacant head coaching position.

According to the Houston Chronicle, Houston reached out to tell Watson they instead planned to hire Culley, who at 65 is the oldest first-time head coach in NFL history. Otherwise, Schefter noted Watson has not spoken to Caserio nor team executive Jack Easterby since making his trade request.

Watson now holds all the power in the trade situation. He clearly commands a high price (top-tier players and substantial draft capital, at a minimum) and can invoke his no-trade clause should the Texans shop him to a team for which he doesn’t want to play. As it stands now, the best bets to secure his talents are Miami, New York, New England or San Francisco.

The Texans will undoubtedly get substantial returns for the quarterback if — when — that trade happens. But the fact they let him become so disenchanted at all suggests their organizational issues won’t subside once he’s gone.

Either way, it won’t be Watson’s problem anymore.

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